Hamlet Prep Notes

Michael Huerta 3rd Period

Playwright: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Title of Work: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (1603)
Type of Drama: Tragedy, Revenge Tragedy
Central Characters:
Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude nephew of
Claudius. He is melancholy, bitter, cynical, and full of hatred for his uncle's scheming
and disgust for his mother's actions. He is often indecisive and hesitant, but at other
times pr to rash and impulsive acts. Claudius: King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, and
play's antagonist. As the villain of the play, he is an ambitious, sleazy politician
driven by sexual appetite and lust for power, but occasionally shows signs of guilt
and human feeling. Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, recently married
to Claudius. She loves Hamlet deeply, but is a shallow, weak woman who seeks
affection and status more urgently than moral goodness or truth
Secondary Characters:
Polonius: Lord Chamberlain of Claudius' court, father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is a
pompous and conniving old man who is murdered by Hamlet while spying Ophelia:
Hamlet's lover, daughter of Polonius and sister of Laertes, sweet and innocent girl
who s dependent on men to tell her how to behave. Laertes: Hamlet's foil, son of
Polonius and brother of Ophelia, schemes with Claudius to kill Hamlet but ends up
dying by the same blade he kills Hamlet with. Horatio: Hamlet's closest friend and
confidant, has known Hamlet since their time at university. He is very loyal, helpful,
and rational; Hamlet's "soul's choice"; lives at the end to tell Hamlet's story.The
Ghost: ghost claiming to be Hamlet's deceased father (King Hamlet) reveals to
Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius and asks him to avenge his death
speculated by Hamlet to be the Devil.Fortinbras: young prince of Norway, father was
killed by King Hamlet. Hamlet's foil; he assumes the crown of Denmark after the
deaths of Hamlet and Claudius.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: former university
friends of Hamlet, asked by Claudius to spy on Hamlet, tasked with taking Hamlet to
England but are later killed. Osric: foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel
with Laertes Voltimand and Cornelius: courtiers sent by Claudius to persuade the
King of Norway to prevent Fortinbras from attacking Marcellus and Bernardo officers
who first see the Ghost, first ones to summon Horatio Reylando: sent by Polonius to
spy on Laertes
Setting: Elsinore (palace), Denmark, late medieval period, chronological setting is
notoriously Imprecise
Events: For two successive nights, the appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet has
been witnessed. Meanwhile, Claudius has been crowned King of Denmark and has
married his brother's widow. Hamlet is disgusted by this union and is soon notified of
the ghost sightings The Ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him and asks
Hamlet to avenge his death but to leave Gertrude alone. Meanwhile, Ophelia has
been instructed by her brother and father to cut ties with her lover (Hamlet), and she
abides to their wishes. Hamlet starts acting like he is mad and Claudius summons
two of his university friends to find the cause of his madness. After several attempts
at discovering the source of his madness, Polonius and Claudius use Ophelia lure
Hamlet and spy on their conversation. A group of actors has arrived and Hamlet asks
them to perform a particular play in which he writes scene resembling his fathers
murder to confirm Claudius guilt. Hamlet's plan works and he goes off to meet his
mother their conversation, Hamlet accuses and insults his mother stooping low and
marrying Claudius. Soon Hamlet kills Polonius as he eavesdrops, thinking that he was
the King. Claudius arranges for Hamlet to be sent off to England, where he is to be
executed as per his orders to the English court. Hamlet leaves for England and
ophelia goes mad at the news of her father's death. Laertes returns from France
thirsty for revenge, and schemes to murder Hamlet with to Claudius. In the meantime
Horatio receives letters from Hamlet stating that he has returned the Denmark with
the help of some pirates. Hamlet returns to find Laertes wanting to kill him and news
of Ophelia's death. A fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes is arranged. Laertes
plans to use a poisoned, sharp sword to kill Hamlet and Claudius provides a poisoned
wine as a back-up. Gertrude drinks the wine and dies, Laertes and Hamlet are both
cut by the poisonous blade and die, and Hamlet stabs Claudius before his death.
Horatio witnesses the whole thing the but lives to tell the story of Hamlet. Hamlet is
satisfied with his death and Fortinbras assumes crown of Denmark. and Claudius'
confirmation of his guilt Climax:
Technical Climax: the play within the play himself to overtly Emotional when Hamlet
stabs Polonius through the arras, he commits action and brings himself into
unavoidable conflict with the king
Catastrophe: Hamlet's death
Language: combination of verse and prose, Shakespearean, figurative (some with
double meaning)
Symbols/Allegory:
Yorick’s Skull-physical reminder of the finality of death, mature acceptance meaning
of a common human fate, Flowers: rosemary for remembrance, pansies for thoughts
columbines for Gertrude and Claudius, daisy for fidelity, fennel for flattery sexual rue
for regret, violets for faithfulness and modesty, physical representation of actual
murder of King Hamlet by King Claudius
Instances of irony:
Situational: swords being switched and Laertes dying to act crazy for Hamlet,
Dramatic: audience and Horatio is aware that Hamlet is only pretending on on and
kind/same) Verbal: "A little more than kin, and less than kind." (verbal play on kin/son
and kind/same)
Themes:
-overthinking ultimately leads to inaction and lost opportunity, creating great
hardship for individuals
-Intelligence allows one to distinguish appearance versus reality, but can unveil a
truth that is hard to handle
-Lust for wealth and power creates a sense of blindness that can lead to violence
and permanently destroy familial bonds
-Lies and secrets are obstacles that harm one's moral compass, making one unable
to communicate with everyone
-One's path of revenge can lead them to make impulsive decisions, making them
question themselves and their purpose.
Soliloquies or Monologues:
Hamlet's seven soliloquies, which reveal his inner thoughts to the audience and
establishes an atmosphere in the play. First- glimpse of Hamlets grief and how alone
he is, Second- thoughts after seeing his father's ghost, Third-frustrations with his
inability to act as well as his plan to catch his uncle Fourth- (to be...) reveals
emotional side of Hamlet as he contemplates between life and death Fifth- feelings
about his uncle, mother, and the play made apparent, Sixth- increases suspense
Seventh Hamlet determined to take action in seeking revenge, Seven- feels ashamed
because of his overthinking
Significant Quotes:
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (Act I, Scene IV)- Marcellus
foreshadowing
"To be, or not to be: that is the question"(Act III, Scene I)- Hamlet speculating about
what happens after death.
“Brevity is the soul of wit" (Act ll, Scene II)- ironic statement by Polonius
“I will speak daggers to her but use none” (Act III, Scene II)- Hamlet will "kill' his
mom with words
“Good night, sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” (Act V, Scene
II)